March 02, 2014
Tuhoronuku hui could be heated
Tuhoronuku goes on the road this week to inform Ngapuhi people about the next steps towards negotiating a settlement of historic treaty claims in Northland.
It’s likely to run into flak early, as some hapu have expressed continued opposition to the body.
That’s despite conditions imposed by the crown in granting the mandate that Tuhoronuku formally separates from the Ngapuhi Runanga, and increases its membership to have more places for hapu representatives.
A hui at Whirinaki last month resolved that Hokianga hapu should not take up the seats for them on Tuhoronuku.
On the other coast, Ngati Hine runanga chair Waihoroi Shortland says his hapu can’t see the justification for a single set of negotiations.
"These fellows would have us believe that only one cloak will cover all the sins and omissions of the north. What happened to Ngati Hine did not happen to all of Ngapuhi. What happened to Mahurehure in Hokianga did not happen to all of Ngapuhi. Whangaroa must be scratching their heads as to how they have ended up in this dogfight. They’ve got to consider their position. Things that happened in the Bay of Islands no longer today relate in the same way as to Hokianga," he says.
The first hui is at Kohewhata Marae in Kaikohe this evening, followed by hui at Waimamaku and Matauri Bay tomorrow and Paihia and Whangarei on Wednesday.
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